Fulham 2-2 Arsenal | Poor performance, poor result, poor season

If one game summed up our season it was this one – we scored some great goals, conceded some terrible ones and dropped points to a lesser side. Then Wenger spouted some bullshit in his post-match press conference and the fans went home feeling frustrated and let down.

It’s not all bad though – at least we don’t have to go through this again until August.

This week’s spin from le boss was when asked about the season as a whole:

“I think I am responsible for the results and I am very disappointed. The players have had an outstanding attitude.”

He just couldn’t help himself could he? His first statement was refreshingly honest and much better than his usual ‘Fourth place is a trophy’ crap. But then he just had to defend the players again and in so doing, insult the intelligence of us poor mugs who’ve watched players like Arshavin, Diaby, Denilson and Eboue amble their way through games without giving a toss. If the players did have an outstanding attitude for all the games instead of just the Hollywood matches against Barcelona, Chelsea and Man Utd, we’d be title holders right now. The points dropped because of our lethargic play and inability to put away the lesser teams have been criminal and a result of a poor attitude, so Wenger saying the complete opposite when I can see the truth with my own eyes smacks of arrogance.

Anyway, to the game. Gibbs had already gone close with a good header before naivety cost Arsenal dear (not for the first time this season). Young Ramsey tried a silly backheel in midfield giving possession away cheaply. Young Gibbs then showed how much he still has to learn by tucking round too far and allowing Zamora the freedom of the right flank to pick out old boy Sidwell for a simple finish.

Young boys make mistakes and if we have too many of them we’ll make too many mistakes. It’s so simple Arsene, can’t you see that?

"That was so easy, this Arsenal defence is so accommodating!"

Three minutes later and we were level. A good exchange between Diaby and Chamakh allowed van Persie to cushion the ball with his first touch and finish expertly with his next – sublime finishing from our lethal Dutchman.

Vermaelen then underlined how much we’ve missed him by clearing a certain goal off the line before Nasri forced a good save by Schwarzer to keep out his free kick (when did we last score one of those by the way? I honestly can’t remember, answers on a postcard please).

On 57 minutes Fulham retook the lead with a goal of frustrating simplicity. A cross from the left was nodded in by Zamora just four yards out. Where was the marking? Where was Szczesny? More poor defensive aerial play from Arsenal – it’s a weakness Wenger has refused to address for five years though so expect more of the same next season.

It looked like Fulham would have no trouble keeping us out even with 10 men until Walcott got the bit between his teeth and ran at the retreating backline before firing in a shot off the post. Good to see him finally take a potshot, he was doing that earlier in the season but seemed to have lost his confidence of late.

So a disappointing 2-2 draw to finish off a disappointing season in 4th place. At least we have qualified a chance of qualifying for the Champions League, but in a season where both Man Utd and Chelsea registered their lowest points total for five years, it’s been a huge missed opportunity.

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